Girl Needs Nut Free Flight

First, let me say that I feel bad for the girl. It's got to suck having that serious of an allergy.

That being said, how does she and others like her cope with such a life-threatening allergy in everyday life? Is someone going ahead of her to check every classroom, store and office for nuts? I understand that an airplane poses the problem of not being able to rush off to the ER at the first sign of trouble, but surely an airplane isn't the first place the girl has gone to that couldn't be made completely nut-free. It makes me wonder what the family's preventative measures are and why they couldn't be used on an airplane.

And desamo, thank you so much for your enlightening posts on how you handle your allergies. It doesn't sound like an easy routine to maintain, but I appreciate how you've manage to adapt without expecting every person around you to hide the gluten.

Nicely said.

I have a nephew who has recently been "cleared" for peanuts. I don't completely understand it, as as true allergy gets worse, not better, with subsequent exposure. But, as with many kids, he has "outgrown" sensitivity.

But my brother and SIL were always reluctant to make the world revolve around his issues, to the point of making sure my nephew's kindergarten had acceptable snacks - for him- (twinkies, ho-hos or whatever might be peanut free) when a parent might bring in birthday cake of unknown ingredients for their kid's birthday's (and yes, there had been issues with cakes which were ostensibly peanut free, but had suffered cross-contamination in non-peanut free kitchens). And if he went to an at home birthday, they would send something similar. (this was particularly awkward, but the snack was always accompanied by an almost apologetic note indicating that they did not want or expect the world to revolve around my nephew's allergies, but wanted my nephew to "participate" in birthday cake).

Again, all of this was based on best intentions - my brother and SIL did not want the world to bend to their needs. Anyway, it strikes me that expecting an airline not only to refrain from passing around peanuts, but to police the use of passengers' carry on products with peanut products (of which there are many) is a bit aggressive

Yup, I just read the first page of this, and I'm not willing to go any further this evening. In short, this is ridiculous. If it's that serious, either pay for a private charter plane or expect not to travel. 99% of customers shouldn't be forced to adapt to the fraction of a 1%. Sorry if that seems cold and heartless.

I don't understand why airlines still continue to serve nuts on airplanes for any reason. I'm not against them but it just seems silly. Why don't they serve popcorn or candy corn, because I doesn't make sense either then add the fact that people are allergic and it just seems even more silly. I think I can stand to fly without nuts on board.

Because there are similar numbers of people allergic to any X (where X is peanuts, tree nuts, corn), and there is some percentage of those allergic to X who are similarly fatally allergic to same. It's not an easy problem.

Among people I know, there are people fatally allergic to: corn, soy, wheat (not celiacs, actual allergies), peanuts, tree nuts, shrimp, pepper (by which is meant pimiente as opposed to other peppers), all peppers, fish, eggs, and the list goes on.

Maybe, because I'm used to preparing foods for people with diverse food issues, I just happen to know more about the gastronomic quirks of my friends than you do.

Essentially, if it's a protein, you can be allergic to it, and you can also be fatally allergic to it.

Also, let's not forget that one of the drivers for airlines is cost, and peanuts do tend to be cheap, being subsidized and all.

Mask. Not heartless. Everyone accommodated. Problem solved.

Good point; nut's really aren't a bright point in my day while traveling. But candy corn! I'm fairly certain candy corn is simply recycled every year, and most has been revolved and resold around the States for the last thirty-odd years.

Well, if the airlines want to give me candy corn, that's fine. Candy corn, after all, is one way to prove the existence of God. But if they don't have any candy corn, I'll make do with nuts.

That did not come out right, quite literally...

As a peanut-allergy sufferer (peanuts are not actually nuts, so I'm not lumping myself into the "nut allergy" group") I know first-hand that it is possible to develop symptoms by inhaling the particulates - if you can smell something, there is physical contact between particulates of that substance and your nose. For people who have a very severe allergy, as I do, that is enough.

I have gotten a gluten reaction walking through a bakery, so I understand. Granted, my reaction isn't immediately life threatening (as it's not an allergy) and it is also delayed typically 24 hours, but it's still bad for my long-term survival.

Why on earth our local Whole Foods puts the gluten-free bread across the aisle from the whole of the bread aisle I will not understand, but suffice to say I don't buy mine there.

Some of us, kinda like the real bread (White, Whole Wheat, Rye) where we can find it. We are buyers too. I understand allergy problems, breathing problems, as much as most of the persons on MP. But still, some of us like the good stuff, in the isles where we can find it easily. Proventel user here, for over 53 years. Try to remember to carry that thing with you every time you go any where, for that many years.

For a celiac, this would do zilch for the intestinal damage that occurs after inhalation of particulate gluten, nor the autoimmune reaction and its consequences (which can be things like nerve damage, thyroid destruction, triggering diabetes, and all kinds of other unfun things). It's totally different than the allergy/asthma thing.

If you say so. Glad I don't that problem(s) Now time to go to the bar,a few brewskys, and don't forget my inhaler. And credit card to pay for the booze. (I love the points) Or just sit here and watch MP teh box, with a drink or two in hand.

Nope, Not Candy Corn, The "Circus Peanuts" Orange colored candy on the other hand. . .

Jett Rink always packs peanuts in carry-on luggage, in the event that said snack is not available onboard. Planters, specifically.

No reflection on Alaska Airlines, but how did the girl get to HI in the first place? And how come Alaska can't comply with the request on the way back? On the other hand, the last time my flight was requested to refrain, I realized that the floor and aisle carpets must be embedded with years worth of mouldering peanut and other nut fragments. How can the child tolerate that exposure, which she did on the way over, and not be able to survive peanut munching anywhere on the plane? I grieve for her condition and wish her no ill, but this is Mama going nuts, excuse the pun. I like the extra mai tai suggestion, which should clear an area in which she could be free of exposure from passengers.

Wow..this was really "nuts" to read. and sad people are obviously ignorant to this growing problem in the nation. When you've seen a child or person of any age struggle to breath, collapse, turn blue..then you just might understand the severity of this.

I travel with two highly allergic children. They are allergic to all nuts. I have to sit next to small furry animals on a plane, they seem to have more rights than humans these days. And I AM ALLERGIC TO THEM! I can sneeze all over you the whole flight, that's something you have to deal with....(I digress).

I love it when I hear "are they severely allergic?" do you see my red bag filled with 8 epi pens. That will buy me an hour to get to a hospital if they come into contact with a nut. I AM THAT PARENT who boards early, wipes down their seat, arm rest, tray table, etc.. my kids are very good about not touching anything on a germy plane to begin with. People around us are usually willing to refrain from eating nuts of any kind if asked by the flight crew. I will feed you..I bring plenty of snacks to share If you are allergic to something, we get it...we will reciprocate. let me tell you, it takes much more time and energy to divert a flight than to chomp on a candy bar.

Whether that story is true or not, hearing these stories infuriates me. I run into so many people who are just ignorant to growing food allergies and I have to be that voice for my children until they can be their own and in control. I don't expect the whole flight to be nut free, but I would choose wisely when booking ...read their policy before hand..expect a problem with fellow passengers (although I never have). And who goes to Hawaii with a nut allergy!?

Interesting discussion here that reminds me of an incident that I had to deal with around 5 years ago when I was managing the national airline of Ghana. We were operating a flight from Gatwick to Accra (approx. 7 hours, of which ~4 hours are spent over the Sahara desert). A 4-year old child who suffers from nut allergies was traveling with his mother. The allergy was not communicated to us at any time.

Following the meal service and approx. 3 hours into a 7 hour flight, one of the crew noticed the child beginning to show discomfort in his seat and developing swelling around the eyes. The mother was napping in the meanwhile next to him. The crewmember woke up the mother and asked about the child's health. At this point the aircraft was overhead Central Algeria and 60-90 minutes south of any airport with access to adequate medical facilities.

The mother freaked out when she saw the child's condition and immediately started accusing the crew of endangering the child. When queried, she confirmed that the child had a nut allergy but "didn't think" that it was important for the crew to have been told in advance. The child had eaten the chicken option for the main meal, which came with cashew nuts sprinkled on top. Furthermore, the mother advised that the child's medication had been left in the checked baggage.

Fortunately we had a doctor on board who diagnosed Anaphylaxsis and prescribed the use of Epinephirine using the epipen contained in the aircraft's medical kit (fortunately we were carrying an ETOPS kit on this non-ETOPS flight - the regular kit wouldn't have contained this). The mother however refused to accept any treatment and instead preferred to simply wrap the child in blankets and attempt to sing lullabys to him. Throughout this time, the child continued to display significant discomfort, including weezing, shortness of breath and edema.

After discussion between the captain and the doctor, it was agreed that the actions of the mother were potentially life threatening to the child based upon the doctor's professional opinion, and accordingly the authority of the captain could be invoked to forcibly separate the mother and the child if necessary for the child's safety. This was conveyed discretely to the mother, following which the mother consented to the treatment without having to resort to forcible separation. The child was administered Epinephirine which stabilised the immediate condition.

Subsequently, approx. 60 minutes later, the child again complained of difficulties breathing and oxygen was administered from the onboard bottles. Although there was no deterioration in the child's vital signs, the child continued to cry and complain of significant discomfort. The mother demanded that the aircraft immediately land so that she could take out the child's medication from her checked luggage, but this was again rejected as a possible course of action due to the aircraft's position at the time (overhead North-Eastern Mali). Accordingly, the doctor chose to administer Hydrocortisone via intramuscular injection, again under the "threat" of forcible separation if the mother did not grant consent.

Following the administration of the Hydrocortisone, the child's condition improved dramatically and he fell into a peaceful sleep. The aircraft subsequently landed safely in Accra and the mother and child were removed to the nearest medical facility by airport paramedics.

Unfortunately, a few weeks later, we were contacted by lawyers for the family who threatened legal action against us for negligence for serving meals with nuts in them (the meals were actually labelled as containing nuts, but the mother didn't actually read the label!). They also demanded that we arrange a nut-free flight back to the UK for them. After some negotiations, we settled on a complimentary upgrade to Business Class and a nut-free Business Class service on their flight.

Overall the incident left a bit of a negative impression (other than the excellent work by the crew and doctor in stabilising the child with the limited resources on board). We conducted a full review of our policies and response after the fact, but really couldn't find anything we could have practically done better. At the end of the day, the only way for someone to be assured of their personal safety is to take adequate precautions both to reduce risk of exposure as well as to counter any exposure that may occur outside their control. If your condition is such that it cannot be stabilised by administration of drugs for long enough to get from a critical point to a diversion airport, the only way of ensuring safety is to find an alternate means of transport.

Given everything that happened on that flight to Accra, I'd have been tempted, had I been BA, to offer a cash refund for the return portion of the ticket. Your crew on the BA flight did everything you could do.

Excellent post. Entertaining, informative and well-written.

Thanks,
David

It wasn't a British Airways flight.

Believe me, I actually considered the whole refund thing, but it wasn't quite that simple. The passengers were actually on a complex ticket (IIRC it was KIN-EWR-LGW-ACC-LGW-KIN plated on CO stock with segments on us and Virgin Atlantic as well), so this wasn't particularly practical.

Besides, contrary to popular opinion here, airlines actually do try to help the passenger out where possible!

I have a similar nut allergy. It's gotten better over the years but I still can't fly on any flight where they warm the nuts. Even as a 1K it's still a huge challenge on UA to get them to skip the nut service, and that's while flying in F. My savior is overnight flights which have no meal service. That'd be my suggestion. It's important to note both she and I don't have a peanut allergy...peanuts are legumes. Both of us have a tree nut allergy, so cashews, walnuts, etc.

That's a lot better than I would've given them. I would've told them to go to hell.